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Helpful Hints in Selling Your Home
Preparing your home for a sale includes:
*make good first impressions. The grounds should be properly maintained summer or winter. Have the lawn mowed and raked, shrubs trimmed, driveway and sidewalks
swept clean and all debris removed from the property.
*arrange shades or drapes to give maximum light to dark rooms. Replace all burned
out light bulbs and repair faulty switches. Light colors add cheerfulness to dark rooms, especially kitchens.
*badly cracked plaster, loose door knobs and crooked light fixtures are among the small items that can be easily repaired. Small things sometimes hinder a sale more than large repairs.
*display your storage and utility space by removing all unnecessary accumulations in attics, stairways, basement and garage. They will appear much larger than they actually are. (rent a storage unit if need be to accomplish this)
*correct faulty plumbing. Leaky faucets can discolor porcelain and call attention to plumbing defects.
*minor redecorating is recommended, if needed, such as painting, rug shampooing, etc. It will create a much more appealing appearance.
*keep radios and televisions off or turned down during the showing to eliminate any possible distractions of the prospect.
*if you have pets, it’s recommended they be kept out of the way or out of the house, if possible. Some people are uneasy around animals and they may detract from the prospects attention.
*your home should be comfortably warm in cold weather and moderately cool in hot weather, thru air conditioning if available, or any other alternative measures.
*apologies should never be made for any adverse appearance of your home. This only emphasizes the defects.
*the walk-through of the prospective buyer should take place with the real estate agent present. The owner should leave the premises so the buyer will feel a degree of privacy in looking at the home, turning on faucets, flushing the toilet, opening/closing windows, and so on.
*provide the real estate agent with accurate figures on taxes and utilities and inform the agent of improvements to the home within the past five to ten years.
*always be prepared to have your property be shown. If you delay a showing, it may lose you the sale. Your real estate professional will always arrange appointments with you in advance.
*always keep your agent informed of where you may be reached at all times.
*finally, always ask your agent about anything you have a question or concern about.
When should you sell your home? MLS statistics indicate that January, February, and March typically lead up to the most purchase agreements around April each year. Activity from April through the summer generally goes down; with a small spike in activity around the time school starts. November and December are generally very slow from a sale standpoint. January, February, start the cycle over again with the greatest number of sales in April.
Contact me for additional information or to provide an appraisal for you to list your home at the right price.
Terri L. Jensen, “Your Residential, Ag, & Unique Property Specialist Since 1984”
507-388-1570 phone; in MN toll-free, 800-293-0859
e-mail: jacappl@hickorytech.net or www.JensenAppraisalandConsulting.com
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